Solar project planned near Palo Verde power plant

The Bureau of Land Management is studying sites across Arizona that might be suitable for large-scale solar power development. The site above is already operating at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. (Photo courtesy Nellis AFB)

A new solar power project is planned near the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix. KTAR-FM reports the Arlington Valley Solar Energy 2 project will generate an estimated 127 megawatts of power when commercial operations start. That’s enough power to supply 25,400 homes.

Plans call for the plant to sell power to San Diego Gas and Electric.

LS Power spokesman Kevin Johnson says the site was chosen because of good electric line infrastructure.

Johnson says the plant will be a job creator, provide sales tax revenue and put energy into the electrical grid.